Bourrée in E minor

Bourrée in E minor is a popular lute piece, the fifth movement from Suite in E minor for Lute, BWV 996 (BC L166) written by Johann Sebastian Bach. This piece is arguably one of the most famous pieces among guitarists.[1]

A bourrée was a type of dance that originated in France with quick duple meter and an upbeat.[2] Though the bourrée was popular as a social dance and shown in theatrical ballets during the reign of Louis XIV of France, the Bourrée in E minor was not intended for dancing.[2] Nonetheless, some of the elements of the dance are incorporated in the piece.[2] Bach wrote his lute pieces in a traditional score rather than in lute tablature, and some believe that Bach played his lute pieces on the keyboard.[2] No original script of the Suite in E minor for Lute by Bach is known to exist.[3] However, in the collection of one of Bach's pupils, Johann Ludwig Krebs, there is one piece ("Praeludio - con la Suite da Gio: Bast. Bach") that has written "aufs Lauten Werck" ("for the lute-harpsichord") in unidentified handwriting.[3] Some argue that despite this reference, the piece was meant to be played on the lute as demonstrated by the texture.[3] Others argue that since the piece was written in E minor, it would be incompatible with the baroque lute which was tuned to D minor.[4] Nevertheless, it may be played with other string instruments, such as the guitar, mandola or mandocello, and keyboard instruments, and it is especially well-known among guitarists.[5] The tempo of the piece should be fairly quick and smooth, since it was written to be a dance. It also demonstrates counterpoint, as the two voices move independently of one another.[1] Furthermore, the Bourrée in E minor demonstrates binary form.[6]

Contents

In classical music

Robert Schumann quotes the first 14 notes of this memorable theme (transposed to G minor) in #3 of the Op. 60, 6 Fugues on B–A–C–H, where he neatly combines it with the B♭ A C B motif. There also appears to be an echo of this reference in the next fugue, #4.

In popular culture

The piece has been used by a number of musicians:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mark Phillips; Jon Chappell (21 November 2008). Guitar Exercises for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 87. ISBN 9780470387665. http://books.google.com/books?id=qYeILTZ0OqAC&pg=PR11. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d Nancy Bachus; Daniel Glover (1 July 2000). The Baroque Spirit, Bk 2: Book & CD. Alfred Music Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 9780739005026. http://books.google.com/books?id=mgf1ijR_rFcC. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c Hannu Annala; Heiki Mätlik (15 June 2008). Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers. Mel Bay Publications. p. 32. ISBN 9780786658442. http://books.google.com/books?id=8_cS-jP7ntoC. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
  4. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach; Jozsef Eotvos (14 November 2002). J. S. Bach: The Complete Lute Works. Mel Bay Publications. p. vi. ISBN 9780786668199. http://books.google.com/books?id=fZdPip4zC88C&pg=PR6. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
  5. ^ Elizabeth T. Knuth. "Bourrée". http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/mandotab/bourree.html. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 
  6. ^ Bill Purse (June 2003). The PrintMusic! primer: mastering the art of music notation with Finale PrintMusic!. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 164. ISBN 9780879307547. http://books.google.com/books?id=ScqjhuyWrk0C. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
  7. ^ Bass Player. "He Can Work It Out". http://www.bassplayer.com/article/he-can-work/oct-05/13698. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 
  8. ^ Jethro Tull, Scott Allen Nollen, Ian Anderson (McFarland, 2001) Page 47
  9. ^ Songfacts. "Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin". http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=314/. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 
  10. ^ Kickass Classical. "The Most Popular Classical Music". http://www.kickassclassical.com/. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 
  11. ^ Chordie. "Bachs Bouree by Yngwie Malmsteen". http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.ultimate-guitar.com/print.php?what=tab&id=211377. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 

External links